Key attaching machine



Feb. 8, 1938. J. c. STRICKLER KEY ATTACHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 24, 1956s Sheets-Sheet 1 Kill 1938- J. c. STRICKLER KEY ATTACHING MACHINE 8Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 24, 1956 R O T V W.

ATTORNEYS Feb. 8, 1938. J. c. STRICKLER KEY ATTACHING MACHINE sSheets-Sheet s Filed Dec. 24, 1936 ATTORNEY A M/m Feb. 8, 1938. .1. c.STRICKLER KEY ATTACHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 24, 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 mm NMNmN mWN

- Feb. s, 1938. JQSTHCKLER 2,107,311

KEY ATTACHING MACHINE Filed Dec; 24, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 8, 1938.j c, STRICKLER 2,107,311

KEY ATTACHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 24, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Z7/ I 23 3a 7349 Z44 34a /95 BY 3. M 4 /0/ roRNEYs Feb. 8, 1938. J c STRICKLER2,107,311

KEY ATTACHING MACHINE Filed D60. 24, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 ATTORNEY 5Feb. 8, 1938. J. c. S'TRI CKLER 2,107,311

KEY ATTACHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 24, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 FZz' BY v 2ATTORNEYS Patented-Feb. 8, 1 938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KEY A'ITACHING MACHINE John C. Strickler, San Francisco, Calif., assignor toAmerican Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey 1Application December 24, 1936, Serial No. 117,631

17 Claims. (Cl. 2l69) The present invention relates to a machine forattaching opening keys to containers or cans and has particularreference to devices for attaching keys to cans by means of an adhesiveReferring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a machineembodying the instant invention, with parts broken away;

sticker which is readily removable to release the Fig. 2 is an enlargedperspective view of a key for use when desired. can showing an openingkey attached thereto An object of the invention is the provision of bythe machine illustrated in Fig. l; a machine for attaching keys to canswherein Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the machine a key anda can arebrought together and an shown in Fig. 1, parts being broken away;adhesive sticker is applied .0 the can over the Fig. 4 is a horizontalsectional detail taken top of a portion of the key, so that the lattersubstantially along the line 4- -4 in Fig. 3; is securely fastened tothe can for shipment Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken substantiallyand storage but is exposed to view and readily along the line 5-5 inFig. 3; detachable by breakage of the sticker for use Figs. 6 and '7 areenlarged vertical sections, when desired. respectively, takensubstantially along the broken Another object is the provision of such amalines 6-6 and 'l'! in Fig. 1; V chine wherein keys to be attached tocans are Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse sectional detail deposited inspaced relation on a strip or tape taken substantially along the line8-8 in Fig. 1; of adhesive coated Cellophane or other suit- Fig. 9 is ahorizontal sectional detail taken able material which is cut into shortlengths substantially along the broken line 9-9 in Fig.8; each of whichcarries one k y n h en h Fig. 10 is a vertical transverse section takenprovides a sticker which, with the key, is readily substantially alongth line |u .m in Fig. 3; p d o can for holding the y in Place Fig. 11 isa transverse sectional detail drawn reo at a reduced scale and takensubstantially along 5 Another objeqt is the provision in such a math b kli |i i Fi 7;

Ch ne of de es for feeding y vindividually Fig. 12 is a transversesectional detail taken nd s v y from a pp y f h k ys n substantiallyalong the line 12-42 in Fig. 3; for arranging them in spaced relation ona tape Fig. 13 is a horizontal section taken substane of Cellophane orother suitable material. tially along the broken line l3l3 in Fig. 6;Another Object is e provision in a machine Fig. 14 is a transversevertical section taken of this ch a r f d vices for feedin a psubstantially along the broken line ll-H in of Cellophane or the likematerial from a sup- Fi 3; p y ro of Such p and for g e fed Fig. 15 is afragmentary-enlarged sectional detape on the feeding devices by a vafuumP tail of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6; Another object is theprovision in such a ma- 16 is a fragmentary perspective View of a chineof devices for transferring the sticker and detail f Fig 15, the Viewbeing taken Substam y adhering t e et o the can y Compressed tiallyalong a plane indicated by the line i6l6 air and for pressing thetransferred sticker and I mth t figure; and ey tightly against t can tocause the adhe Figs. 17 and 18 are fragmentary transverse in sive on thesticker to firmly bond therewith. tion of a, clutch mechanism showingthe Lil Another object is the provision of such a ma chine wherein canscontinuously pass through the machine, the key feeding and tape feedingdevices being intermittently actuated as through a single cycle at atime, each cycle actuation being efiected to bring av key and stickerinto alignment with a can by devices operable by engagement with the canas it is lifted into key receiving position.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the following description, which, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings. discloses a preferredembodiment thereof.

the keys are arranged such adhesive being such as to become stickyon.pressure. This adhesive holds the keys against displacement duringsubto the can top wall.

sequent steps incidental to attaching them to the cans.

The tape with its adhering keys is carried on the peripheral surface ofa turret and is held in place by suction acting through conduits formedin the turret and connected with a suitable source of vacuum. While onthe turret the tape is cut into short lengths or stickers, each stickercarrying one key and still held on the turret by suction. For thispurpose the turret is intermittently and indirectly rotated one cycle ata time by each can as it is brought into position to receive its keyduring its passage through the machine.

At the proper time a can is lifted into engagement with the key which isstill adhering to the sticker. The vacuum is then cut off from this partof the turret and compressed air is substituted. The air blows thesticker away from the turret and into contact with the can, the adhesivesurface of the sticker being against the can and the key being betweensticker and can. The pressure thus applied makes the sticker adhere Thecan is then lowered and passed to a station where the sticker is firmlypressed home to complete the sticking action to hold the key in placeafter which the can with its aflixed key is discharged from the machine.

A preferred form of machine includes a horizontal table 2| (Figs. 1, 3and 5) for cans 22 (Fig.

'2) to which keys 23 are adapted to be attached.

The table is provided with a depending apron 25 which is carried onvertical guides 26 (see also Fig. 4) formed on the front of a pedestalor main frame 21. This pedestal supports the various parts of themachine.

Vertical adjustment of the table 2| and the parts carried thereon isprovided so that the table may be set at a predetermined elevation inaccordance with the height of the cans to be passed through the machine.This adjustment is made by means of a vertically disposed tableadjusting screw 29 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) which is threaded into a lug 3|formed on the apron 25. The lower end of the screw is rotatably mountedin a bearing 32 formed in a housing 33 which is bolted to the front ofthe pedestal.

The table adjusting screw 29 is confined against vertical displacementby a collar 34 which is pinned to it adjacent the bearing 32 outside thehousing 33 and by a bevel gear 35 which is secured to it inside thehousing. The gear 35 meshes with a similar gear 36 mounted on one end ofa short shaft 31 carried in a horizontal bearing 38 formed in thehousing. A handle 39 pinned to the shaft 31 outside the housing providesmeans for rotating the gears and the screw to bring the table 2| into aproper vertical position.

The cans 22 are presented to the machine in untimed order and are thenmoved along the top of the table 2| in any suitable manner as for example, by a. pair of spaced and parallel endless conveyor chains 45(Figs. 1, 6 and 10). These chains take over spaced driving sprockets 46which are mounted on a drive shaft 41 journaled in bearings 48 formed inthe table 2 The chains may lead from another machine or may be containedentirely within the instant machine. In either case they also may takeover idler sprockets (not shown).

The sprocket drive shaft 41 is continuously rotated by gear and sprocketconnection with a suitable source of power, such as an electric motor 5|(Figs. 1 and 5) which is bolted to the back of the pedestal 21. Themotor shaft, indicated by plane adjacent the end the numeral 52 carriesa sprocket 53 which drives a chain 54. This chain takes over a sprocket55 (Figs. 7 and 10) disposed in a clutch casing 56 bolted to'one end ofa gear housing 51 formed on top of the pedestal 21. The sprocket 55drives a bevel gear 58 and both sprocket and gear are mounted on and arebolted to a clutch hub or driving member 59 which is rotated on ashouldered stud 6| secured in the clutch casing 56.

Bevel gear 58 (Figs. 7 and 10) meshes with and drives a pinion 64 whichis keyed to the upper end of a vertical shaft 65 journaled in a bearing86 formed in the clutch casing 56. The shaft extends down into the table2| and at its lower end is slidably connected by a feather 51 with abevel pinion 68 journaled in a bearing 69 formed in the table. Thissliding connection between pinion and shaft permits lowering and raisingof the table 2|.

A collar 1| is threaded onto the end of the pinion 88, which projectsout of the top of the bearing 69. This holds the pinion against verticaldisplacement. This pinion 68 meshes with a bevel gear 12 which is keyedto the sprocket drive shaft 41. Through the gear and sprocket trainsjust described power is transmitted from the electric motor 5| to thesprocket drive shaft 41 to continuously rotate the latter.

The cans 22 as they are delivered on the table 2| are brought intoproperly spaced and timed relation by a timing screw 15 (Figs. 1 and 10)disposed in an open side casing 18 mounted on the table to one side ofthe conveyor chains 45. The timing screw is mounted on a shaft 11 whichis journaled in bearings 18 formed in the casing 16. A spiral pinion 19mounted on one end of the screw shaft meshes with a spiral gear 8| whichis pinned to the continuously rotating sprocket drive shaft 41.

By means of this connection the timing screw is continuously rotated andcans brought into engagement with it by the moving conveyor chains 45are properly spaced. A guide rail 82 secured to the top of the tableopposite the timing screw keeps the cans in alignment and brings theminto the screw.

A properly timed can as it reaches the discharge end of the timing screw15 is moved forward, that is, ejected from the screw by a finger 85(Figs. 1, 6 and 10). The finger is mounted on the upper end of a shortvertical shaft 88 journaled in bearings 81 formed in the table 2|.Intermediate the bearings the shaft carries a spiral gear 88 whichmeshes with a similar spiral gear 89 mounted on the continuouslyrotating sprocket drive shaft 41. Through this gear connection thefinger 85 is continuously rotated in a horizontal of the timing screw atthe proper time.

This ejection of the can from the timing screw 15 transfers it from theconveyor chains 45 to a position on the table where it is directly overan auxiliary conveyor chain 92 (Figs. '1 and 6) the upper run of whichis slightly below the level of the top of the table. One end of thechain 92 is carried on a sprocket 93 mounted on the continuouslyrotating sprocket drive shaft 41 between the spaced sprockets 46. Thedriving shaft 41 thus moves the auxiliary conveyor chain continuously.This chain extends along the remainder of the length of the table 2| andat its discharge end may pass over suitable sprockets not shown.

The transferred can is directly in front of one of a plurality of shortconveyor lugs or dogs 94 carried on the chain. The advancing dog engagesbehind the can and pushes it forward along the top of the table 2I andbetween the guide rail 82 and a spaced, parallel short guide rail 95(Fig. 1) which is also secured to the top of the table.

At the end of the short guide rail 95 the can still being advanced bythe dog 94 passes onto a lifter pad IOI (Figs. 1, 5 and 6) whichthereupon rises with the can bringing the latter into key receivingposition. The lifter pad is formed with an apron I02 (see also Figs. 3and 4) which vertically slides in guideway gibs I03 secured to the frontof the table apron 25.

Lifting of the pad is accomplished by cam action the pad being connectedby a link I05 to one end of an arm I06. Arm I06 is mounted on a shortshaft I08 carried in suitable bearings formed in the side of the table2I. Arm I06 is also yieldably connected with one end of a lever I09which is keyed to the shaft I08. This end of the lever carries a studIII which extends into a boss I I2 formed on the side of the arm I06. Arecess II3 formed in the boss houses a compression spring II4 whichsurrounds the stud I I I and is held in place by a nut I I5 threaded onthe end of the stud. This provides the flexible connection between thearm I06 and the lever I09 just referred to.

The opposite end of the lever carries a cam roller II8 which under theweight of the lifter pad MI is held in engagement with an edge cam I I9.The cam I I9 is an integral part of the bevel gear 12 (see also Fig.10). Thus the cam is rotated in time with the movement of the sprocketchains and, through the link and lever connection with the lifter pad,raises the latter and a can positioned thereon at the proper time.

Raising of the can is begun before it is wholly on the lifter pad IN,the dog 94 moving the can to a centralized position while the pad isrising. By the time the can is centralized on the pad it has been liftedhigh enough to disengage the dog, the latter thereupon passing under thecan in a clearance groove I2I (Fig. 5) formed in the lifter pad for thispurpose. Can guides I22 secured to the top of the pad in alignment withthe guides 82, 95 hold the can on the pad.

Raising of the can 22 carries it into association with the mechanism forfeeding the keys 23 and for attaching them to the top of the can. Thismechanism is located above the table 2I on the front of the gear housing51 and it is operated independently of the can moving mechanism justdescribed by a clutch device housed in the clutch casing 56.

The clutch device includes a continuously rotating drive member I5I(Figs. 7, l0, l7 and 18) and a driven member I 52. The drive member isformed as a part of the clutch hub 59. The driven member is carriedwithin the drive member and is mounted on one end of a clutch drivenshaft I53 which is supported in bearings I54 formed in the gear housing51. This -shaft is the main driving or clutch shaft of the key feedingand attaching mechanism.

One rotation of the clutch shaft I 53 takes place for one operatingcycle of the key feeding and attaching mechanism and this occurs eachtime a can is presented for a key. For effecting the rotation of theshaft I53 the clutch members I5I, I52 are locked together by a pawl I55which is pivotally located in a recess I 56 formed in the member I52. Aspring barrel I51 disposed in a. bore I58 formed in the driven memberhouses a compression spring I59 which exerts its force against the pawland thereby projects the latter if not resisted into a notch I6I formedin the member I 5I.

Locking of the clutch members is effected by each can as it is raisedinto position with the lifter pad IN. The rising can engages against andlifts the free end of a lever I (Figs. 3, 6 and 10) which is mounted ona pivot bolt I66 secured in the front wall of the gear housing 51. Thefree end of the lever is connected to the lower end of a link I61 (seealso Fig. 10) which at its upper end is secured to an arm I68.

The arm I68 is mounted on one end of a rock shaft I69 carried inbearings I1I formed in the top of the clutch casing 56. This arm carriesa depending clutch actuating member or flapper I12 which is normallyheld by a tension spring I13 in a substantially perpendicular positionagainst the face of the clutch drive member I5I and in the path of theclutch locking pawl I55, as shown in Fig. 7. One end of the spring issecured to the link end of the lever I65 while its opposite end isfastened to a screw I14 on the end of the rock shaft I69.

The flapper I12 as long as it remains in perpendicular position, pushesthe clutch locking pawl I55 into its recess I56 each time the pawlpasses the notch I6I of the clutch drive member I5I and therefore thedriven member I52 is not clutched with the drive member. The key feedingand attaching mechanism remains inoperative so long as this continues.

When a can is lifted into key receiving position the rock shaft I69turns and this moves the flapper I12 sidewise into the dotted lineposition of Fig. 7. This positions the flapper out of the path of thelocking pawl I55 which accordingly snaps into the clutch drive membernotch I 6| when the driven member passes. This is a usual press clutchconstruction. With the clutch members locked together the key feedingand attaching mechanism moves through one cycle. During this cycle a keyis attached to the can and the can is returned to its original loweredposition on the table 2|. While the can is descending another key isbrought into position for the next following can. Lowering of the candisengages the clutch members and the mechanism stops thus completingthe one cycle.

The keys 23 to be attached to the cans are housed in stack formationwithin a magazine I84 (Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 14) which is secured to thefront wall of the gear housing 51. A key is withdrawn or picked off fromthe bottom of the magazine at each revolution of the clutch shaft I53.The lowermost key in the stack rests in one of a plurality of equallyspaced transverse notches I85 formed in the peripheral surface of a keyfeeding turret I86. This turret is mounted on one end of a shaft I81which is journalled in a bearing I88 formed in the gear housing 51.

The turret I 86 is rotated in a step by step movement by the clutchshaft I53 through a connecting gear train. This includes a gear I9Ipinned to the opposite eno of the turret shaft I81 which meshes with asimilar gear I92 pinned near one end of a parallel shaft I93 journaledin a bearing I94 formed in the gear casing 51, this shaft being directlybelow the shaft I81. Gear I92 is formed integrally with an interruptedspiral gear I95 which meshes with a similar gear I96 mounted on the maindrive shaft I53. Thus every time the clutch shaft I53 is rotated throughits cycle the key turret moves through its step or partial rotation.

Such step rotation of the key turret I86 advances a notch I85 one spaceat the same time picking off the lowermost key 23 from the bottom of themagazine. A curved guide I 91 disposed adjacent the periphery of theturret holds each fed key in its individual notch during this first andsucceeding movements of the turret until the key approaches the bottomof the turret.

At the time of reaching this bottom position, the key is brought under apair of spaced transfer fingers I98, I99 (Figs. 1, 6, 15 and 16) whichare magnetized, the former engaging and mag netically holding the shankof the key, the latter the key head. At about the same time the shank ofthe key moves off the end of the curved guide I91.

In addition to the magnetic hold on the key head a yieldable guide 20I(see also Figs. 5 and 9) frictionally engages the head of the key. Thisguide is mounted on a pivot pin 202 secured in spaced lugs 203 formed ina plate 204 which is fastened to the front wall of the gear housing 51.A spring barrel 205 is disposed in a bore 296 formed in the plate andthe barrel houses a compression spring 291 which constitutes theyieldable backing for the guide. In coming into place the head of thekey also moves into a cut-out portion 208 formed in the end of thecurved guide I91 and snaps into a horizontal groove 209 formed in theface of the yieldable guide. This positively supports the key in ahorizontal position and in the turret notch I85 at the bottom of theturret.

The magnetic transfer fingers I98, I99 are bolted to an arm 2H (Figs. 6and 12) which is mounted on one end of a sleeve 2I8 carried in a bearing2I9 (see also Figs. 7 and 11) formed in the front wall of the gearhousing 51.

The opposite end of the sleeve 2I8 extends into the gear housing andcarries an arm 22! having a cam roller 222 which operates on a cam 223mounted on the clutch shaft I53. A tension spring 224 holds the camroller against the cam. One end of the spring is secured to the free endof the arm 22I while its opposite end is fastened to a pin 225 which issecured in a bracket 226 formed on a web 221 of the gear housing 51.This cam control is used to bring the magnetized fingers I 98, I99 intothe right position for engagement with the fed key and for furtherhandling of the key as will be more fully explained.

The fingers I98, I99 are magnetized only as needed to hold the key.Magnetism is impressed by electric energy which is supplied from anysuitable source of power such as a generator 23I diagrammatically shownin Fig. 12. The magnetic circuit includes a generator wire 232, serviceswitch 233, wire 234, connecting with the fingers, a return wire 235,contact buttons 236, 231 of a switch 238, a wire 239, service switch 233and a return generator wire MI. The switch 238 makes and breaks thecircuit.

The contact buttons of switch 238, when the switch is open, engageagainst a ring segment 242 (Figs. 7 and 11) composed of insulatingmaterial which is secured to the back of the cam 223. A shorter ringsegment 243 of brass or copper is also secured to the cam 223 adjacentthe ring segment to complete the ring and provides for electricalconnection to close the magnetic circuit. Thus rotation of the campasses the brass segment into engagement with both of the switch contactbuttons when the fingers are magnetized to hold the key.

A strip of suitable tape such as Cellophane 245 (Figs.v 6 and 15) ispartially looped at one end over the peripheral surface of a many sidedassembling turret 246 which is located directly below the feedingturret. The magnetically held key is brought down on this tape by alowering of the transfer fingers I98, I99 accompanied by a breaking ofthe magnetic circuit and a demagnetizing of the fingers.

The transfer fingers I98, I99 are thereupon lifted to their originalposition by an upward movement of the arm 2I I, leaving the keydeposited in a transverse position on the outer surface of the tape 245.This engaged surface of the tape preferably carries an adhesive coatingand the deposited key therefore clings to it. The assembling turret 246is keyed to the shaft I93 and is therefore rotated in unison with thefeeding turret I86 so that as a new key is moved into assemblingposition a new portion of the tape is presented. In this mannersuccessive keys are placed on the tape at equally spaced intervals alongits length.

The adhesive coated tape is most conveniently supplied from a, roll 24'!which is carried on a bushing 248 rotatably mounted on a headed pin 249secured in a bracket 25I fastened to the side of the gear housing 51.

A key 23 when deposited on the tape is more positively located by beingforced, with the contacting section of the tape, into a transversegroove 253 (Figs. 6, 8 and 15) provided in a flat face 254 constitutingone of the many sides of the turret 246. At the same time the key headis impaled over a boss 255 formed on the turret face. Each fiat face isbounded or separated by radial slots 256 which divide the turret intoindividual turret sectors 25?. The shank and head of the key both extendbeyond the edges of the tape.

Curved guide members 26I, 252 (Figs. 6, 8, 9 and 15) are mountedadjacent the periphery of the assembling turret and confine the head andshank ends of the key within the groove 253 as the turret rotates. Theguide 26I extends up to near the top of the turret and is fastened tothe housing plate 204. The guide 262 extends over the top of the turretbut is cut away in a slot 263 (Fig. 9) at its top to provide thenecessary clearance for the transfer of the key in assembling. The guidebar 262 is mounted on a valve block unit provided for controlling vacuumon the turret as will now be explained.

Some resistance against unwinding of the sticky tape from the supplyroll 24! is encoun tered and accordingly vacuum holding of the tape onthe turret during its rotation is resorted to. For this purpose eachsector 25'! of the turret is formed with a plurality of conduits 266(Fig. 15) which at their outer ends communicate with elongated recesses26'! (see also Figs. 8 and 9) formed in the fiat faces 254 of the turret246. At their inner ends the conduits communicate with transverse bores268 which are formed in the turret. These bores open out on the outersurface of the turret.

A stationary valve block 2'iI (Figs. 1, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 15) constitutesthe valve block unit just referred to and is mounted on the shaft I93alongside of and in the front of the turret 246. The adjacent face ofthis block is held in frictional and airtight engagement with the turretby a compression spring 2112 which surrounds the shaft. The compressionof the spring may be altered by a knurled nut 213 threaded on the end ofthe shaft I93, while a washer 214 (Fig.

5) is interposed between the spring and the valve block. This permitsfree turning of the spring and nut as a unit with the shaft. The valveblock is held stationary by connection with a lug 215 (Figs. 1 and 8)which is formed on the front wall of the gear housing 51. The outercurved key guide 262 is secured to this valve block.

The valve block 211 has a curved groove or valve channel 216 (Figs. 6and 15) cut in the inner face where it contacts the outer front surfaceof the turret 246 and is adapted to communicate selectively with theopen ends of the bores 268 as the turret rotates. One end of the grooveconnects with one end of a vacuum passageway 211 extending transverselyof the valve block. The opposite end of the passageway opens into a pipe213 (see also Figs. 8 and 9) which is threaded into the valve block.This .pipe constitutes a lead connecting with a suitable source ofvacuum and is therefore constantly vacuumized. Through this connectionthe curved valve groove or channel 216 is also kept vacuumized.

The valve channel 216 is located in the valve block in such a positionthat its upper end will communicate with the bores 268 of each turretsector 251 as soon as the turret begins its step rotation after a keyhas been deposited on the tape and pressed into the turret groove 253 ofthat sector. Thus a vacuum is drawn or the air removed from thebores'268, conduits 266 and recesses 261 of that sector thereby holdingthe tape tightly against the sector face 254 and preventing itsshifting. The channel is long enough to vacuum hold the tape on four ofthe sectors at the same time which means for each sector until a key onits tape section reaches the bottom of the turret.

While on the turret 246 the tape 245 is cut at a place between adjacentadhering keys to provide stickers 281 (Figs. 1 and 15) which with thekeys form the key attaching units. This cutting is done in the interimbetween two step movements of the turret and during the third stop afterthe key is received on the tape, see Fig. 6.

The tape is severed by a sharp knife blade 282 secured to a rotatablehead 283 which is a part of a sleeve 284 carried in a verticallyinclined bearing 285 formed in a bracket 286 (see also Fig. 14). Thebracket is adjustably mounted on the front wall of the gear housing 51.'The blade is clamped against the head by a plate 281 which is drawn uptight by a long bolt 288 threaded therein and extending through thesleeve.

The knife head 283 is rotated a complete revolution for each of theturrets movements and pauses. The upper end of the sleeve 284 carries abevel gear 291 (Figs. 1, 3, 6 and 14) which is driven by a similarmeshing gear 292. Gear 292 is mounted on one end of a horizontal driveshaft 293 carried in a bearing 294formed in the gear housing 51. A bevelgear 295 mounted on the opposite end of the drive shaft meshes with asimilar bevel gear 296 (see also Fig. '1) carried on the clutch shaft153.

In this manner the knife blade 282 passes across the tape and sweepsinto and through the adjacent slot 256 of the then immovable turret 246,as shown in Figs. 6 and 13. The angular position of the cutting deviceprovides proper alignment with the slot. The sticker thus severed fromthe tape is still held in place on the turret by the continued vacuumpull.

Each

sticker has a length substantially equal to the distance across a turretface 254 between slots and the key 23 is centrally located and is stillretained within the transverse locating groove After cutting the blade282 dips into a liquid bath of water or other solvent contained in ashallow tray 291 (Figs. 6, 13 and 14) supported on a lug 298 formed onthe adjustable bracket 286. This cleans the blade and removes anyadhering adhesive which may have been picked up from the tape during thecutting action. The blade being wet therefore when it effects theseverance of the tape makes a cleaner, sharper cut.

Just prior to the turret coming to rest with the sticker and its key atthe bottom, the vacuum holding feature is changed, the bores 268 forthat section being moved beyond the channel 216 and coming into registerwith a vacuumized channel 301 (Figs. 6 and. 15) which is also formed inthe valve block 211.

The channel 301 is L shaped having a substantially horizontal curvedportion 302 terminating in a vertical leg 303 this constructionresulting in quick cut-off action. The channel 301 is substantially thesame width as the diameter of the vacuum bores 268 formed in the turret.The two bores of each sector are at different distances from the centerof the turret and the shape of the channel 301 permits transferring atdifferent times of the vacuum pull on the sticker by way of the boreswhen changing from channel 216 to channel 301. This preventsinterruption of the holding action. When the turret comes into its restposition as shown in Fig. 6, one bore 268 is in communication with thevertical leg portion 303 of the channel 301 while the other bore is incommunication with the curved portion 302.

Vacuum is drawn on the channel 301 from the main vacuum supply pipe 218through a bypass system containing a cam controlled valve unit. Thissystem includes a passageway 305 (Fig. 15) formed in the valve block 211and connecting the channel with a pipe 306 (see also Figs. 8 and 9)which is threaded into the valve block. Pipe 306 is connected with aby-pass pipe 301 which leads into a valve cavity 308 of a valve unit(Fig. '1) located in a valve block 309 formed as a part of a bracket 3H(Figs. 8 and 9) secured to the gear housing 51. The valve cavity opensinto a vertical bore 313 which communicates with one end of a pipe 314threaded into the valve block 309. The pipe 314 connects with the mainvacuum supply pipe 218. By means of this connection the channel 301 isvacuumized to hold the sticker key unit in position to be applied to acan.

This bringing of successive sticker key units to the bottom of theturret 246 is synchronized with the lifting and lowering of cans. Aspreviously mentioned the sticker key unit is brought into its bottomposition near the end of the key feeding cycle and at the time a raisedcan, which -has already received its key, is being lowered to itsoriginal position. The positioned sticker key unit is then applied whenthe following can is raised by the lifter pad 101 and the can is broughtinto engagement with the sticker as shown in Fig. 6. The key thereuponrests on top of the can with its sticker looped over the key and alsoengaging the can wall.

At this time the vacuum connection is cut off from the channel 301 bythe closing of a valve 321 (Fig. 7) housed in the valve cavity 308 andconstituting in part the valve unit of the by-pass system. The valve isformed on the lower end of a stem 322 which is carried in the verticalbore 3I3. A reduced diameter portion 323 of the stem formed in the valveend provides for passage of air in the clearance around the stem by wayof the pipe 3 when the valve is open.

Opening of the valve is properly timed by means of a cam 325 (Fig. 8)which is mounted on the clutch shaft I53. A roller 326 (see also Fig. 7)engages the periphery of the cam and is mounted in an arm 321 carried ona pivot pin 328 secured in the valve block 300. A lug 329 formed on thearm 321 rests on the top of the valve stem 322 which extends above thetop of the valve block. A spring 33l is housed in a plug 332 which isthreadedly held in the valve block and exerts an upward pressure tendingto close the valve (Fig. 8). This closing takes place when the cam 325permits lifting of the valve stem and valve.

Provision is made for positively ejecting the sticker 28I from the faceof the tape turret 246 and for pressing it on the top of the can fortemporarily holding the key in place. As soon as the vacuum is cut offfrom the valve channel 30! as just described the channel is opened to asource of compressed air which passes through the turret bores 268,conduits 266' and recesses 261 to the back or top surface of sticker andkey thereby making the transfer from turret to can.

The air is received under pressure from any suitable source of supply asby way of a supply pipe 335 (Figs. 8 and 9) one end of whichcommunicates with a valve cavity 336 which opens into a vertical bore331 formed in the valve block 309 of the valve unit. This borecommunicates with a short horizontal bore 338 which leads into one endof -a pipe 339 which joins with the pipe 306. The air passing throughthe pipe 306 and the passageway 305 (Fig. 15) comes into the valvechannel 30l.

The flow of compressed air is cut oif by a valve device whichstructurally simulates the vacuum valve and which includes a valve 3which is disposed in the valve cavity 336. The valve is formed on thelower end of a stem 342 disposed in the vertical bore 331 and is reducedin diameter adjacent the valve end as at 343 to permit passage of theair through the cavity and around the stern when the valve is open. Theupper end of the stem extends beyond the valve block 309 and engagesagainst a lug 344 formed on an arm 345 which is similar to the vacuumvalve arm 321. The arm 345 is mounted on the pivot pin 328 and carries acam roller 346 which engages against an edge cam 341 keyed to the clutchshaft I53. A spring 348 housed in a plug 349 which is threaded in thevalve block 309 at the lower end of the valve cavity 336, pressesagainst the bottom of the valve and holds the valve stem against the lug344, and thereby holds the cam roller in engagement with its cam 341.Thus rotation of the cam allows the spring 348 to open the valve 3 andto permit the passage of air through the valve as already described.This opening of the valve action is only momentary so that a puff of airstrong enough to insure ejection of the sticker 28I from the tape turret246 escapes from the recesses 261.

Positioning onto the can of the sticker 28! and the key carried thereonis followed by the lowering of the can into its original level with thetop of the table 2|. One of a plurality of dogs 35! (Fig. 6) secured tothe continuously moving auxiliary conveyor chain 92 thereupon moves intoengagement with the lowered can and slides it off the lifter pad IM andonto the table. These dogs 35l are located at spaced intervals along thechain alternating with and disposed between the shorter dogs 94. The dog35I moves its engaged can along the top oi the table and between guiderails 352, 353 (Figs. 1, 3 and 6) mounted thereon.

During this movement of the can across the table it passesinstrumentalities which press down on top of the sticker 28I and firmlysqueeze it against the top of the can so that the adhesive on thesticker will make a proper bond with the top of the can and thuspermanently hold the key securely in place. The pressing is done by arubber pad 36l (Figs. 1, 3, 6 and 9) which is secured to acounter-balance weight arm 362. The arm is mounted on a horizontal shaft363 carried in a bearing 364 formed in the front wall of the gearhousing 51 and in a bearing 365 formed in a bracket 366 formedintegrally with a side wall of the same housing (see also Fig. 7).

The horizontal shaft 363 is rotated in time with the cyclic rotation ofthe key and assembling turrets I86, 246 so that the rubber pad 36l willengage the sticker on the cam at the proper time. For this purpose theinner end of the shaft carries a helical gear 368 (Figs. 7 and 9) whichmeshes with a similar gear 369 mounted on the clutch shaft I53.

With the sticker 28! thus pressed home holding the key 23 tightly on topof the can, the auxiliary chain 92 further conveys the can toward theend of the table where it may be ejected or brought into any suitableplace of discharge.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the formhereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A machine for attaching keys to containers, the combination of a keyfeeding device, and a tape feeding device, said feeding devices arrangedto deliver a key and the tape into assembled relation onto a containerwith the tape over the top of the key for securing it in place on thecontainer.

2. A machine for attaching keys to containers, the combination of a keyfeeding deviceoa tape feeding device, and a cutter for severing the tapeto provide a sticker, said feeding devices arranged to deliver a key andthe sticker into assembled relation onto a container with the stickerover the top of the key for securing it in place on the container.

3. A machine for attaching keys to containers, the combination of a keyfeeding device, an adhesive tape feeding device, a cutter for severingthe adhesive tape to provide a sticker, said feeding devices arranged todeliver a key and the sticker into assembled relation onto a containerpositioned adjacent thereto with the sticker over the top of the key,and means for pressing the sticker onto the container for temporarilysecuring the key in place.

4. A machine for attaching keys to containers, the combination of a keyfeeding device, an adhesive tape feeding device, a cutter for severingthe adhesive tape to provide a sticker, said feeding is properlypresented.

5. A machine for attaching keys to containers, the combination of a keyfeeding device, an adhesive tape feeding device, a cutter for severingthe adhesive tape to provide a sticker, and means for cleaning saidcutter prior to each severing operation, said feeding devices beingarranged to deliver a key and the sticker into assembled relation onto apresented container with the sticker over the top of the key forsecuring it in place on the container.

6. A machine for attaching keys to containers, the combination of a keyfeeding device, a tape feeding device, and means for bringing acontainer into key receiving position adjacent said feeding devices,said feeding devices being are ranged to deliver a key and the tape intoassembled relation onto the presented container with the tape over thetop of the key for sticking it in place on the container.

'7. A machine for attaching keys to containers, the combination of a keyfeeding device, an adhesive tape feeding device, a cutter for severingthe adhesive tape to provide a sticker, and means for bringing acontainer into key receiving position adjacent said feeding devices,said feeding devices being arranged to deliver a key and the stickerinto assembled relation onto the presented container with the stickerover the top of the key for sticking it in place on the container.

8. A machine for attaching keys to containers, the combination of a tapefeeding device for advancing a tape having adhesive applied to onesurface thereof, a key feeding device arranged to convey a key intojuxtaposition with the adhesive surface of the tape, instrumentalitiesfor transferring the positioned key from the key feeding devices to thetape, and a cutter adjacent said tape feeding device for cutting off aportion of the tape carrying the key thereby providing a separatedsticker having a key adhering thereto, said tape feeding devicedelivering the sticker and key carried thereon into position onto acontainer with the sticker applied over the top of the key for securingit in place on the container.

9. A machine for attaching keys to containers, the combination of a tapefeeding device for advancing a tape having adhesive applied to onesurface thereof, a magazine for holding a supply of keys, a key feedingdevice for removing keys from said magazine individually and forconveying them successively into juxtaposition with the adhesive surfaceof said tape, means for actuating said feeding devices in unison,transfer instrumentalities for, removing the positioned keys from thekey feeding device and for depositing them successively in spacedrelation on said tape, a cutter for severing said tape between the keysadhering thereto to provide individual stickers each carrying a singlekey, and means for moving containers in succession into key receivingposition adjacent said tape feeding device, said tape feeding devicebeing arranged to deliver the sticker and the key adhering thereto ontosaid container with the sticker over the top of the key for holding thelatter in place.

10. A machine for attaching keys to containers, the combination of a keyfeeding device, an adhesive tape feeding device, a cutter for severingthe adhesive tape to provide a sticker, and vacuum means for holdingsaid tape and said sticker in position on said tape feeding device, saidfeeding devices arranged to deliver a key and the sticker into assembledrelation onto a container positioned adjacent thereto with the stickerapplied over the top of the key for temporarily securing it in place onthe container.

11. A machine for attaching keys to containers, the combination of a keyfeeding device, an adhesive tape feeding device, a cutter for severingthe adhesive tape to provide a sticker, said feeding devices beingarranged to assemble a key and a sticker for attachment onto acontainer, and fluid pressure means for delivering said assembledsticker and key onto a container positioned adjacent said tape feedingdevices with the sticker applied over the top of the key for securingthe latter in place.

12. A machine for attaching keys to containers,

the combination of a key feeding device, an adhesive tape feedingdevice, electro-magnetic instrumentalities for transferring keys fromsaid key feeding device to said tape feeding device and for depositingthe transferred keys onto said tape, means for magnetizing andde-magnetizing said electro-magnetic instrumentalities at the propertime to effect the transfer of the key, and a cutter forcutting off theportion of the tape which carries the key to provide a sticker, saidtape feeding device being arranged to deliver the sticker and key onto apositioned container with the sticker over the top of the key to holdthe latter in place.

13. A machine for attaching keys to containers, the combination of a keyfeeding device, an ad hesive tape feeding device, transferinstrumentalities for assembling a fed key with the fed tape, means onsaid devices for properly locating the key transversely of the tapebefore and after its transfer, and a cutter for cutting off the portionof the tape which carries the key to provide a sticker, a said feedingdevice being arranged to deliver the sticker and key onto a positionedcontainer with the sticker over the top of the key to hold the latter inplace.

14. A machine for attaching keys to containers, the combination of a keyfeeding device, an adhesive tape feeding device including a rotatableturret having a plurality of radial slots cutting across its peripheryand setting off a plurality of faces each of which is provided with atape and key receiving and locating notch, transfer instrumentalitiesfor assembling a fed key with the fed tape and for pressing the shank ofthe key with the tape into a said notch for holding the key in apredetermined positionrelative to the tape, elements on said turretdisposed adjacent said faces for receiving the head of the key to locatethe key transversely of the turret andtape, and a cutter arranged tosweep through the radial slots in said turret for cutting the tape intoportions providing stickers each of which carries a key, a said feedingdevice being arranged to deliver the sticker and key onto a positionedcontainer with the sticker over the top of the key to hold the latter inplace.

15. A machine for attaching keys to containers, the combination of a keyfeeding device, a tape feeding device, said feedingdevices beingarranged to deliver a key and the tape into assembled relation onto acontainer with the tape over the top of the key, and fluid pressuremeans for pressing the tape against the container for temporarilyholding the key in place.

16. A machine for attaching keys to containers, the combination of a keyfeeding device, a tape feeding device, said feeding devices beingarranged to deliver a key and the tape into assembled relation onto acontainer with the tape over the top of the key, fluid pressure meansfor pressing the tape against the container for temporarily holding thekeyiin place, and instrumentalities for further pressing the tape intotight engagement with the container for permanently securing the key inplace.

17. A machine for attaching keys to containers,

the combination of a key feeding device, an adhesive tape feedingdevice, a cutter for severing the adhesive tape to provide a sticker,said feeding devices being arranged to assemble a key and a sticker forattachment onto a container, fluid pressure means for delivering saidassembled sticker and key onto a container positioned adjacent said tapefeeding devices with the sticker applied over the top of the key fortemporarily holding the latter in place, and instrumentalities forpressing the sticker into tight engagement with the container forpermanently securing the key in place.

JOHN C. STRICKLER.

